Leadership

Bryna Holland has lived in Novato for most of her life and raised her family in this community which she loves. She spent fifteen years serving as a public defender in Marin County, where she saw firsthand how deeply stable housing impacts families. She values Gilead’s mission to provide not just shelter, but support and mentorship for mothers and their children, and is honored to serve as board president. 

Clark has been the President/ CEO of Northbay Family Homes (NFH) and Suburban Alternative Land Trust (SALT) since 1978. As the founder of these organizations, Clark has over 40 years of public and private real estate industry experience. Both organizations have been centric to policy making and developing affordable housing projects in and around the North Bay.  Clark’s extensive knowledge and expertise in this area support our Board of Directors in navigating and setting criteria to determine which affordable housing projects are the best match for Gilead House recipients.  Clark has always been involved in his community, supporting local events, non-profits, local businesses and low income housing.  He was instrumental is the development of the Hamilton Housing Project in Novato.  He was a long-time member of North Bay Leadership Council and continues his membership in the Novato Chamber of Commerce, active in their Leadership Novato Program.  Since 2001 representing the North Bay Council, Clark has been a member of the Marin Economic Commission.

Betty lives in Marin County and is a working Mom with a daughter in elementary school. Professionally she is a Managing Director for Cetera Investors.

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Betty grew up in Sacramento and matriculated at UC Berkeley where she was a leader in Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. After graduating she continued to serve her alma mater as a board member of the California Alumni Association. She belongs to several organizations that support the growth of women in business and volunteerism in the community. When not working she enjoys all that Marin County has to offer including live performances, easy access to skiing, great schools and a sense of community.

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Carrie Scrimshire is the CEO of Gilead House in Novato, a fundamental program to inspire hope and empower homeless single moms and their children toward financial stability and independence. Carrie’s professional goal is to take Gilead House to the next level in the housing of families, both in increasing the number of locations and furthering education. She is an avid learner and believes every single person benefits by education and continuous learning.

Personally, Carrie loves to cook. Her passion is expanding her knowledge of healthy, fusion-style cooking with multi-cultural dishes such as French, Mexican, Spanish, Thai, Peruvian, Greek, and Indian. No challenge is too difficult for her.   She also loves animals. Saint Francis is her favorite saint because he looks out for and protects animals. One of her long-term goals is to design an animal sanctuary where abused and neglected animals can live out their days in a loving peaceful environment.  A random fun fact about Carrie is she flew a small plane over two Hawaiian islands (Maui and Lanai) with no flight experience whatsoever.

She loves people, laughter, hard work and has a great sense of humor. Her personality is magnetic and she always finds the good in everyone.

A prior Novato Chamber Ambassador for several years, Mr. De Ramon currently promotes the Novato Chamber and its purpose by serving on the Chamber Board of Directors. Expectations include shared fiduciary oversight of the Novato Chamber, enlisting new members, maintaining relationships with current members, and serving as a goodwill representative at local nonprofits, businesses, and the communities we serve.  Richard will also develop new business contacts in Novato while increasing community-wide recognition for both the Chamber and First Federal Savings.

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Richard was recognized as the Novato Chamber’s Ambassador of the year in 2016. “Serving and improving the community whenever possible is greatly valued at First Federal Savings. Moving our loan and administrative offices to Novato allowed me the opportunity to once again to serve in Novato.”

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A graduate of San Francisco State University, Richard has more than 30 years of financial services experience with positions in both California and Florida. Prior to joining First Federal, Mr. De Ramon was employed in retail management positions with Bank of Marin and Redwood Credit Union. Community Service: Past committees and board involvement include: San Rafael Education Committee, Novato Human Needs Center, Marin Y Board, San Rafael Chamber Ambassador Committee, Novato Chamber Ambassador Committee, Novato Sunrise Rotary. Richard is a San Francisco native, now residing in Marin with his life partner, Lisa, a physician for Marin Health. Interests include traveling, art, and music (especially contemporary Jazz).

Born and raised in the East Bay, Wendy is a proud mother to two beautiful adult children and a passionate life coach under her brand Wendy Day Coaching. She studied business at Diablo Valley College, along with Creative Writing, and worked in the restaurant industry for many years. Wendy has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and groups empowering them to reach their goals and create the lives they want. As a motivational and team leader with Weight Watchers International, she supported thousands of women in losing weight and transforming their lives. She has recently completed several certifications for life coaching under the Robbins-Madanes trainings. 

Wendy loves to help people, especially women, look and feel great, as well as to live the lives they truly want. She strives to be the living embodiment of what she teaches people: to live healthy, fulfilling lives with courage, confidence, love and resolve. She has a passion for fashion, and as a fashion coach, has helped many women clean out their closets and re-invent themselves from the inside out. Wendy’s mission in life to serve purpose-driven individuals and organizations to thrive in style (and with love) is what brought her to Gilead House to work with the amazing women there.